The Constitution currently allows for the donation of abandoned or blighted properties to nonprofits but not to individuals. Properties are considered to be donations if they are sold for less than their fair market value.

Bishop introduced a bill that passed the House and the Senate unanimously to amend the Constitution to allow for the sale of properties in the Lower 9th Ward to people "at a price the Legislature may set."

The issue goes before voters Nov. 4.

The properties will not be available for purchase until the amendment is approved.

The proposed program also contains limitations on who can purchase the properties.

People who live adjacent to these properties and qualify under the Lot Next Door program will have the first opportunity to buy them. Next in line will be people who have rented in the Lower 9th Ward for at least 18 months; veterans, emergency responders, teachers and former teachers; and people who agree to build a home on the property and live in that house for at least five years.

Anybody who purchases one of these 602 lots must agree to "retain and maintain" the property for at least five years.

The bill prohibits developers, corporations and anybody who owns properties with code violations or tax liens attached to them from buying the lots. It also limits the number of properties an individual can buy to a single lot.